France Adopts Stricker Anti-Tobacco Laws

France, where not only famous worldwide Gauloises cigarettes brand was created but the word ”cigarettes” itself, now wants to introduce strictest anti-smoking laws in the world.

Brand names along with bright colors on cigarette packs will be replaced by large graphic and text health warnings. Car drivers and passengers will be prohibited from lighting up in the presence of kids under 12. Tobacco companies will be obliged to fund anti-smoking campaigns.

In case the law will be adopted, it would come into action from 2016. However, France started to inform public about smoking hazards by launching several anti-smoking videos and they already are shown on TV.

Marisol Touraine, the French Health Minister, says that it is very important to have an impact on young people. Children are our future and they should be protected now from tobacco in order to prevent them from becoming regular smokers in adult age. We should grow up a healthy generation.

Marisol Touraine says that these days in France one in three adults smoke and it means the smoking rates are extremely high. The situation should be changed and actual smoking rates should be reduced by 2024.

Data shows that in 60s almost two-thirds of males in France smoked. In 70s the country started to fight smoking and in 2006 smoking was banned in all public places.